I'm a pretty happy guy right now. My new Patrick Barta sword has arrived. It is beyond great! I know Patrick is hailed as the best. It's pretty clear why he is held in such esteem. This sword is based on the sword on pages 140-141 in Ian Pierce's "Swords of the Viking Age", I've attached a color photo of the original.

The pommel and cross are bronze. The grip is antler with bronze ferrules that are inlayed with copper and silver. The blade has gold inlay. The scabbard is has a wood core covered in leather and a copper buckle.

To say that this sword handles well is understating it. It is lightning quick. With it's tight POB and extreme taper the tip is VERY mobile. It is sharp as a razor. The finish on all the elements of this sword are what you would expect from Patrick Barta; excellent! Enough writing, I am going to go swing this sword around a bit!

Stats:
OAL 37.1 inches
BL 30.7 inches
POB 3 inches from cross
Weight 2 pounds 12 ounces

*Full length shot with scabbard is at bottom and must be downloaded...

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That's what I call an heirloom!

Beautiful---beautiful. What else is there to say?

Tim,
She's a work of art. I see why you sold me me that beautiful blade! I guess we both won, but I have to admit that your new sword is just a beauty. I'm sure you will be very happy with it.

I'm jealous

Best Regards
Robert

Wow, I'm awestruck. Congrats on your new sword Tim, I'm envious!

Oh my!

Tim, that's a singularly beautiful piece. Heirloom is right! The grip and fernules are especially striking.

Tim, that's a beautiful sword. I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of it and reading your impressions after you've had time to give it some use. I must say that you've got one of the most enviable collections of any person within our community here and certainly when you combine the items you've owned and since sold, you are amongst the most prolific collectors I've come to known. Cheers to you!

Impressive in every way and a sword fit for a King or an Emperor ( Well if the Vikings had had Emperors. ;) :lol: ).

Holy wow... That sword is absolutely phenomenal, as is to be expected from Patrick. Could I ask the provenance of the original sword? It's a very unique piece, as you obviously know! Great choice.

-Gregory

Hey Tim, seems your avatars been updated, oh yeah and you've got a new sword aswell ;)

But in all seriousness, there are only two words to describe that sword absolutly perfect. I especially love the choice of antler for the grip, if I had my choice of owning this, or the original, I think I'd have to go with this one.

Speechless...

That is a great looking sword. Good choice of an original for him to work from also. One of my favorites.

Lovely sword! I love the detail on it, especially the hilt furniture. Just lovely. I would love to know about the handling of it.

RPM

Gorgeous. Just looking at it, the reality in your peripheral vision fades and you find yourself standing guard in a warlord's incense-filled hall.

I have a taste for "Viking" age swords, bone/antler hilt components, and bronze/brass hilt components and this rolls them into one sword so fluidly.

Congratulations Tim and thanks for the excellent pictures. This is truly a Kingly sword - both a functional weapon and high art at the same time. The work on the blade is exceptional. Now I understand your old avatar and the recent change - you must have known what you were after for quite a long time! How do you display all these beauties? I'd pay an entrance fee to walk through your 'museum'. Can we please, please see some more group shots with a few others in your collection some time?

Regards, JD

Lovely! You are a lucky owner!

Robert- Thanks again! I'm glad you like the results of our transactions!

Nathan- Thanks! Takes one to know one, right? ;) Having all of the swords (and other weapons) I've had over the years has really helped me to refine my collecting. I know so much more about what I like(and don't like) with every new piece. I'm sure you feel the same way. I know your tastes run a bit later than mine, but you seem to focus on complex hilted, early Ren. pieces. I know you have others but that seems to be your passion. I feel that same passion for the later viking stuff. Don't know why, it just calls to me... Having so much other stuff has really helped me understand that over the years.

Gregory- It was found in Ireland. Pierce describes it as having Anglo-Scandinavian hilt features with purely Irish decoration (inlay). The original is (late) 11th century.

Randall- It handles very well. The tight POB makes the tip very lively. It has a slim blade with a lot of distal taper. It's fast as hell. It doesn't feel like it would have a huge punch, more like you'd pick your spot and hit it!

JD- Yes! I will be doing a few group shots with this and some of my other swords very soon. I love group shots! Your most recent group shot had me salivating...
As for display, I have them on a nice table at the moment but will be making a rack (or maybe wall mounts) at some point this year.
I have been after this sword for a while. I got in Patrick's queue 4 years ago. He contacted me about 8 months ago to ask for my idea and this was what we discussed. I think I had that as my avatar for a while before that. I sorta have to change it now that I have the real deal! :cool:

I'll fight you for it! :D

Not really, but it's quite fetching to say the least. Barta swords always are. ;)

Now that is some amazing work by a great swordsmith. Congrads!!!!

Great Sword!

BTW how does the pommel feel in hand when swinging in a cutting move?